Many residents of Archer Heights are unaware of the efforts made by the AHCA to keep the neighborhood safe. So we compiled a short list of the ongoing committees and teams that, on a regular basis, address everything from graffiti to CAPS communication and back again.
Of course, we can’t do these things alone. If you’re able, reach out to AHCA at (773) 843-2232 or send us an email to get involved. We’d appreciate the help of more volunteers, to help us keep up these efforts:
Day Time Graffiti Team
The AHCA organized a team that, each week, surveys the community and records all graffiti. This includes major thoroughfares as well as side streets and alleyways. All incidents of graffiti are reported directly to the Department of Streets & Sanitation. As a direct result of this effort, graffiti is removed generally within one day of being reported. This program has the support of our elected officials and sends a very strong message: we will not tolerate any kind of graffiti in our community.
CAPS Team
Officers and board members alike actively participate in the monthly CAPS meetings for the 8th District. At these meetings, neighbors get to know the police that patrol our neighborhood. Incidents can be brought up at these meetings, or participants can remain afterward to discuss an issue privately with the officers and/or the CAPS Sergeant. The AHCA is a strong advocate of the CAPS program and encourages all residents to participate. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month, at the St. Bruno school, in the St. Joseph room, at 7PM.
Walkabouts
The AHCA has conducted “walkabouts” on blocks where gang or criminal activity has occurred. Through the walkabouts, each house in a designated block is visited, and neighbors are introduced to each other. We recruit homeowners to our civic association and tout the importance of people knowing their neighbors, and participating in CAPS meetings. The walkabouts assure neighbors that there are like-minded individuals in the community who are fighting to keep our neighborhoods safe. Not only do we work with the 8th Police District, but we also work with the city’s Department of Buildings to seek out illegal conversions and other building or zoning code violations.
National Night Out Against Crime
AHCA is a longtime supporter of the National Night Out Against Crime and urge all of our members to participate in this event, which will take place this year on August 4 at 6PM in West Lawn Park (4233 W. 65th Street). Come get to know your police officers.
General Membership Meetings
Communication is key, both among neighbors and the officials who oversee our community. So, we often host speakers at our General Membership meetings, to answer the questions of residents in the neighborhood, as well as to make them aware of any issues.
Most recently, at our May meeting, we welcomed Cook County States Attorney Kimberly M. Foxx to impress upon her the need to keep gang activity out of Archer Heights. Ms. Foxx outlined to our members the efforts and programs within her office, and in partnership with the Chicago Police, to aggressively prosecute gang members and eliminate gang activity.
In addition, as a result of our ongoing crime prevention activities, support of our police and participation in CAPS, the 8th District Commander has assigned additional police resources of Mission Cars, Tactical and Gang Crimes Units to our neighborhood—and Commander Pontecore has, within the last year, attended THREE of our meetings to explain the efforts to eradicate gang activity within our community. He even sticks around after the meetings to privately discuss concerns with residents.
Anyone is welcome to attend a meeting. Dues for AHCA are $15 per year, and cover the costs associated with the above efforts to keep the neighborhood safe and connected.
Please note that the AHCA welcomes children and grandchildren—so if you’ve got the kids with you, bring them along! These meetings are an opportunity for members to both publicly question and privately speak with scheduled guest speakers, in order to raise concerns and work together to keep Archer Heights a vibrant and close-knit community.
All photos by Karen Duddleston.